December 2012

[Sweder]

A few more local outings last week, a visit to Hove Parkrun yesterday followed by a poignant return to Old Snakey. Parkrun went well. I notched my quickest time for three years and second best of all time, 22:36 for the 5k circuit. After the run I joined Cam and Simon for a coffee where we talked about a possible Sunday run.

This morning we made good our plan, taking on a brutal westerly wind and viscous mud in the East Brighton Hills. I took my new Mizuno Ascend 7 trail shoes out for a spin. They felt snug and springy as only boots fresh out of the box can. Marian, another Brighton runner planning to join the Almerian Armada next month, joined us. For me this was a first return to these hills since Spring. The sun popped out to greet us, bouncing light off the dancing waves below the cliffs.

Inland the trails turned treacherous, sodden after a week of solid rain. Brackish pools lay in wait, the mud around them set to send us sliding in at every step. After Telscome Tye the headwind kept our pace modest until we reached the lea of the Serpent's shoulder. Here the ground was all but impassable, slick, spin-inducing mud as far as the watery, wind-stung eye could see. Despite the slime sucking at my feet I felt strong on the climb, arms pumping as I launched myself up the twisting slope. Near the top we paused to pay homage to Chris, Cam's purple hairband still wrapped around the gorse bush where her brother's ashes lay.

   

I hammered home through East Brighton Park at around 7'30"/ mile pace, taking the long route on the gallops around the top of the park. This was akin to running in wet sand, testing my tiring legs. Millie and Marian were a way behind so I ran to the seafront and back. I bade farewell to the girls and ran a last mile on the hard top along Madeira Drive. Just shy of 14 miles in 2 hours 15, right where I want to be for the start of my Brighton Marathon campaign.